Religious Extremism in Nigeria.

Religion, on a general note, has to do with the belief in the existence of a supernatural being. It's the function of the metaphysical. 

In Nigeria, we have 3 major types of religion;

• Islam

• Christianity and 

• African Traditional Religion

These different types of religion believe in different supernatural beings. Muslims believe in Muhammed, Christians believe in Jesus Christ, and traditionalists believe in different gods which are dependent on the tribe. 

RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM:

Extremism is the behavior of people who try to bring about political or religious change by using extreme methods. An extremist resorts to extreme measures in religion or politics. 

It is found in all religions, but more apparent in some. 

Religion has been abused in several ways to suit the interests of persons who consider themselves the custodians/guardians of the religious laws. They use religion as a shield to commit heinous crimes and also convince their gullible followers and impose their ideology on them. 

Religious extremism has become rampant in Nigeria, most especially, in the Northern part of the country.

Most neutrals would have thought that religious extremism is just common among the uneducated, but it's so disappointing that these extremist ideologies are more rampant amongst the supposedly educated ones. 

The story as narrated by @Cogamedia took place yesterday, and in the light of that, a lot of persons began reminiscing and testifying on how they had survived religious extremism in the past. 

One of them was a secondary school student, who was 15 yrs of age at the time. His friends who were in the same age bracket, accused him of blasphemy and wanted to behead him. Word got out to the people outside, that someone has blasphemed. The mob gathered outside, asking for the release of the young boy who had supposedly blasphemed, so that he would be beheaded. Luckily for him he was smuggled out of school by the then Vice Principal. He still has PTSD from the event, up to this day. 

They've also been times where Christians in the Northern part of the country have been slaughtered for events that didn't even happen in the country. 

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.

• Religious extremism can be curbed, if the adherents of the various religions in the country, can have respect for one another's views. They should understand that they are inter-religious diversities and try their best to be tolerant to them. 

• Religious tolerance (the ability to accept beliefs that are different from ours) should be taught in institutions of learning, beginning from the lowest level (Primary schools) to the highest level (Tertiary Institutions be it University, College of Education or Polytechnic.)

• Nigerian tertiary education should help Muslim communities and institutions to study Islam analytically and critically at different levels of society. 

• Nigerian tertiary institutions should also help Evangelical churches to review their programmes so that they can be more inclusive.

I want to Sincerely thank My Dear Friend and latest sponsor @Ellawrites . Thank you so much for always being there, I really appreciate.

May 13, 2022.